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Real Madrid's back-to-back victories over Barcelona have given them fresh momentum ahead of the second leg of their last 16 tie at Manchester United tonight.
Prior to the 1-1 draw between the teams three weeks ago, the season had appeared to be ebbing away from the Spanish champions, with Barca having assembled a seemingly unassailable 16-point lead in La Liga.

Madrid's chances of catching their sworn enemies remain slim, but the two victories over Barca in the Copa del Rey and the league have injected belief that Jose Mourinho's side can go to Old Trafford and win.
"It's clear that these victories are great for the confidence of the group because now we face a difficult match in the Champions League," said centre-back Sergio Ramos.
"After the two Clasicos we are going to Manchester convinced that we can win, although with a lot of respect for the opponents, who are a great team."

	After the two Clasicos we are going to Manchester convinced that we can win, although with a lot of respect for the opponents, who are a great team
Madrid's wins over Barcelona owed much to the break-neck counter-attacking game that saw them romp to last season's Spanish title, but which appeared to have deserted them in the current campaign.
Mourinho could even afford the luxury of resting several of his most important players in Saturday's 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming off the bench to turn the game in the hosts' favour.
Furthermore, aside from goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has a broken hand, Mourinho has a full complement of players to choose from.
United's squad has also been largely spared by injury, although there are doubts over the fitness of Phil Jones.
The England international worked hard to stifle Ronaldo in the first leg, but was then struck down by an ankle injury and missed Saturday's routine 4-0 win at home to Norwich City.
That one-sided victory took United 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League ladder, allowing manager Alex Ferguson to turn his thoughts to tonight's encounter.
"It will be a fantastic night," he said. "You are talking about two of the greatest clubs in the world. Emotions will be high and I am sure it will be a tremendous match.
"If we can get a blank against us [tonight], we would go through. But I think both teams will score. I just hope we get more than them."
Ferguson, who saw United fall to Barcelona in the Champions League final in both 2009 and 2011, feels victory against Madrid would convince his side they have the ability to bring home the club's fourth European Cup.
"To beat Real Madrid on our own ground would be a great step forward for this particular team," he said. "It would give us a chance of going all the way in this tournament."
United's fans already seem certain to witness one milestone, with Ryan Giggs poised to make his 1,000th appearance in senior football after being rested at the weekend.
Tonight's game will also mark the first time that Ronaldo has returned to Old Trafford since he left United to join Madrid in a world record £80 million (HK$932.76 million) transfer in 2009.
"This is his house, so there will be a lot of emotion. I hope he doesn't play well because of that," United left-back Patrice Evra told MUTV.
"But Ronaldo is a winner. He is a big competitor. If he can win against Manchester United, he will do it."


Resurgent Real Madrid head to Manchester United full of confidence

Cristiano Ronaldo

Sport

Football

Spanish champs bullish about their chances against Red Devils in second leg tie at Old Trafford after back-to-back victories over rivals Barcelona


Resurgent Real Madrid head to Manchester United full of confidence

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Spanish champs bullish about their chances against Red Devils in second leg tie at Old Trafford after back-to-back victories over rivals Barcelona

Spanish champs bullish about their chances against Red Devils in second leg tie at Old Trafford after back-to-back victories over rivals Barcelona